Do you like gardening? No? Or at least plants? Yes?! Well that’s good because have you ever thought of making your own food IRL? (in real life). I did think about it… and that’s why my vision is someday I want to have my own little farm where I can plant vegetables and some crops that I really like. Okay maybe not a little farm but at least a garden. A girl can always dream right?

I always want to have a garden. But right now I don’t have space where I live. But I can’t let that stop me from growing plants. I can either use pots. But pots are a bit messy if I want to keep it inside my room or in the kitchen. Hence when I saw this AeroGarden as portable garden, I can’t resist to check it out. AeroGarden said:

NASA tested aeroponic technology grows plants in water, nutrients and air so simply and easily that anyone can succeed.

Sounds too commercial? But many people like Chefs, still try this portable herb and vegetable garden. Probably it works. I will certainly want to try and hope to have fresh herbs and veggies ready for dinner.

Deluxe AeroGarden with seeds $199.99

AeroGarden pro 100 with herb seeds $169

Ready to eat raw? Or at least juicing raw vegetables and fruits. We always eat junk foods, drink soda, beer, eat sugar coated snacks. It’s time to bring back the balance in our system – adding more good food than bad food.  It may be a  bummer to prepare fruits and veggies for juicing and to dismantle/clean juicing machines. But as they say, “no pain, no gain.” Juicing fruits and vegetables is one of the best way to get your daily dose of raw vegetables and fresh fruits. We all know that by eating it raw we get more health benefits. Here’s some concoctions you should try soon!:

Carrot + Ginger + Apple = boost and cleanse your system

Apple + Cucumber + Celery = prevents cancer, reduce cholesterol and ease stomach upset and headache

Tomato + Carrot + Apple = improves skin complexion and natural cure for bad breath

Bitter gourd + Apple + Milk = natural cure for  bad breath and reduce internal body heat

Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon = dispels excess salt, nourishes the bladder and kidney

Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi = improves skin complexion

Pear + Banana = regulates sugar level

Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango = counteracts toxicity, lowers blood pressure and fight oxidation

Papaya + Pineapple + Milk = rich in vitamin C, E and Iron; improves skin complexion and metabolism

Grapes + Watermelon + Milk = rich in vitamin C and vitamin B12 that improves cell activity

Banana + Pineapple + Milk = prevents constipation

I promise you that these concoctions tastes so good. I’ve tried it myself. My favorite concoction is a combination of carrots, celery, cucumber and apples. It’s so refreshing!

great juicing machines to start with: Jack LaLanne’s Power Juicer $99.99, Stainless Steel Manual Wheat Grass Juicer $109.95, Nutri Source Juicer $145, Hamilton Beach 2 Speed Juice Extractor $39.02

Constipation is one of the worst thing that can happen to you. It will make you feel bad, smells bad and look bad. So many remedies for constipation are available in the market but I was looking for alternatives… herb for constipation. And I stumbled upon dandelion herb. Surprisingly,  “ugly-duckling” dandelion possess medicinal use not just for constipation but it has antioxidant properties as well.

It may be unpopular to gardeners because of its self-seeds and spreads readily to become a garden weed. But you may want to give dandelion herb a second look before you kill them.

What’s hot: It may be a pesky weed but do you know that dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium and zinc? Amazing huh? In fact you can use the whole plant. The young leaves for salads and tea. The roots  can be found in some coffee substitutes. For constipation, fresh or dried dandelion herb can be used. Boil the herb in water and drink as a tea. Here’s what research and studies from the University of Maryland Medical Center has to say about dandelion’s medicinal uses:

Dandelion leaves produce a diuretic effect while the roots act as an antiviral agent, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, and may help promote gastrointestinal health. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system.

The medicinal use of the dandelion herb seems endless! You can read their full research/review by just clicking the above link.

What’s-not-so-hot: A garden weed. Some people may develop allergies in touching dandelion, like mouth sores. Also in some people, dandelion can cause stomach acid and heart burn.

Turns out the good side of dandelion outweigh the bad. But like any other herbs, consult your health care provider before taking any dandelion leaf.

organic roasted dandelion root $25.38, dandelion root capsule $2.59, dandelion moisturizer $35.98, organic dandelion tea $15.53, dandelion dried leaves $1.79,  fentimans dandelion and burdock soda $3.25.

Just like the mushy movie, “Message in a Bottle,” here comes a unique gift to your loved ones – “Message in a Bean.” Just as the name implies, you plant the bean and wait for 1-2 weeks till the plant grows and presto! A bean will come out from the plant showing your message. Cool huh? To everyone’s delight there are so many different messages in the beans to choose from. Of course the “I Love You” message tops the list. A unique gift, exciting and a wonderful way to show your affection for only $12.75.  Need I say more?

]]> http://herbal.gigissandbox.com/2009/09/27/message-in-a-bean/feed/ 0 http://herbal.gigissandbox.com/2009/09/02/lower-your-cholesterol-with-sunflower/ http://herbal.gigissandbox.com/2009/09/02/lower-your-cholesterol-with-sunflower/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:59:27 +0000 Gigi http://herbal.gigissandbox.com/?p=305 Sunflowers uplift good mood. Some people I know are “sunflower fanatics”, collecting sunflower stuff. I can imagine why, the loveliness of its sunny, smiley blooms will make anyone happy. But do you know that sunflowers possess properties that are also good for one’s health? What’s hot: Sunflowers  have a wide range of uses and the entire [...]]]>

Sunflowers uplift good mood. Some people I know are “sunflower fanatics”, collecting sunflower stuff. I can imagine why, the loveliness of its sunny, smiley blooms will make anyone happy. But do you know that sunflowers possess properties that are also good for one’s health?

What’s hot: Sunflowers  have a wide range of uses and the entire plant can be used. One of its special property is you can extract polyunsaturated oil from a sunflower plant valuable for lowering cholesterol levels. The University of Maryland Medial Center enumerated the list from the American Heart Association (AHA) for a healthy heart diet. Sunflower oil contains Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids important to one’s health. So for those people who likes fried foods, they can use sunflower cooking oil as a substitute. But keep in mind that anything excess is not healthy. The seeds and kernels can be eaten raw or toasted. The sprouted seeds can be steamed or boiled for a quick delicious salad. The oil is also good for base aromatherapy and to treat muscular aches and pains. Sunflowers are attractive floral decoration. The list seemed endless.

What’s not-so-hot: Heavy shredding of the plant, AHA said that too much sunflower cooking oil or any cooking oil may be associated with weight gain in the abdomen.

Sunflower products:  sunflower seeds $2.99, sunflower organic cooking oil, sunflower honey toasted seeds $18.63, Klein’s Natural Sunflower Seeds, Unsalted, in Shells $16.62